New Look Miami Heat Fall to Celtics in Season Opener

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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6, Chris Bosh #1 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat walk into position moments before losing to the Boston Celtics, 88-80, at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 26, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat have already been anointed as the team to beat for the NBA championship, but if opening night is any indication, the supposed heirs may have to wait in line a little longer than expected to take their seats upon the throne.

Miami's new big three: point guard Dwyane Wade and forwards LeBron James and Chris Bosh looked out of sync and were showered with chants of "Overrated!" as the Heat dropped their season opener 88-80 to the Boston Celtics in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, reports ESPN.

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James, who dropped in 31 points, looked in mid-season form, but Wade - who missed virtually all of the pre-season with a hamstring injury - shot 4-of-16 from the field and ended the game with 13 points. Bosh added 8 points and 8 rebounds, but the trio accounted for 15 of the team's 17 turnovers.

James, who finished his Cleveland career and started his Miami tenure with losses in Beantown, explained that the performance is just part of learning how to play with new teammates.

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"It's a feel-out process," he said. "When you have so many options, it's something I'm not accustomed to, having that many threats out on the court at the same time."

It nothing else, the loss might lower expectations, which have been sky high the entire offseason.

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"Sorry if everyone thought we were going to go 82-0. It just ain't happening," Wade said.

The Celtics own big three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett poured in a combined 59 points and point guard Rajon Rondo added 17 assists, two more than the Heat had as a team. New Celtic Shaquille O' Neal, James' teammate in Cleveland last year, chipped in 9 points and 7 rebounds for Boston.